The Full Lillebaby Essentials Review: Is This the Carrier You’ll Love?

The beauty of having a solid baby carrier is being able to take your little one on your everyday adventures without needing a stroller for the majority of the day. Instead, you get to wear your baby close to your chest to watch them enjoy watching the world from your level, as opposed to from the stroller looking up at everything.

And the Lillebaby Essentials baby carrier allows you to do that without the worry of back pain after extended use of the carrier or a restless baby or toddler if you wear the carrier for long periods of time.

One of the big selling points of the carrier, though, is the fact that you can use it on both warm weather and cooler weather and in both instances, remain as comfortable as your little one securely positioned in the Lillebaby Essentials carrier.

Thanks to the breathable 3D mesh material, the carrier has a lightweight feel to it that won’t make your baby or toddler feel too hot in the heat and the temperature-control panel zips back up to keep your little one warm when it’s cooler out.

With four different available positions, you can use the baby carrier for both babies and toddlers, and even newborns with the newborn insert, from 7-45 pounds, which can give you literal years of use out of the carrier in some cases.

The Lillebaby Essentials has also been evaluated by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute as a carrier that’s hip healthy for all babies and toddlers due to its comfortable and ergonomic “M” shape that it allows.

And since it’s fully adjustable with the many straps and supports, you can easily share the baby carrier with your partner or with a caregiver. On Amazon, the Lillebaby Essentials baby carrier is $100 (check here for the latest price).

Features

There are four different positions with the carrier, including fetal, toddler, hip, and back.

You can use it comfortably during virtually all seasons and climates without you or your little one getting too warm.

There are Perfect Fit Adjusters built into the Lillebaby Essentials carrier, which can be used to get the truly perfect fit when wearing the carrier.

There’s a large zippered storage pocket as well as a pocket to hold the sleeping hood when it’s not in use.

Your baby or toddler’s weight will be evenly distributed between your shoulders and hips for the best all-around comfort.

Pros

With the infant insert, you can safely use the carrier for your baby from the newborn stage.

You can use the Lillebaby Essentials in both warm and cool weather and remain comfortable, along with your baby, in either climate.

The extra back support adds more comfort as you wear your baby for longer periods of time.

The storage pocket is large enough to hold your essentials and then some.

Not only is the sat padded for your child’s comfort, but the leg holes are as well, which helps prevent chafing or discomfort.

Cons

It might be difficult to get your little one into position properly the first few times.

There could be more padding around the waist strap for your comfort.

Reaching the buckles to secure the carrier once it’s on your body can be a challenge.

How Others Compare

Ergobaby 360

The fact that the Ergobaby 360 carrier is award-winning speaks for itself, but it’s also important to note the cool mesh material amd ergonomic shape that provides comfort for your little one as well as extra support for you.

The material remains breathable in different weather conditions, which again, benefits your baby as it keeps him or her cool, and benefits you as well since your baby or toddler will be seated against your body as you carry them.

The wide waistband provides added comfort and support for you, since the Ergobaby 360 is designed for both babies and toddlers as they grow, and the padded shoulder straps help to evenly distribute your little one’s weight as you wear the carrier.

And since the waistband adjusts from 26-52 inches and shoulder straps can be sized from 28-46 inches, you can safely and easily use the carrier for almost any body type.

There’s also a convenient breastfeeding and UPF 50+ baby hood for both sun and wind protection that can be tucked away when not in use. On Amazon, the Ergobaby 360 carrier is $159 (check here for the latest price).

Pros

The carrier can be used with babies and toddlers from 4-36 months or 12-33 pounds, or you can use the newborn insert (sold separately) from 0-4 months or 7-12 pounds.

The thick waistband is designed to add extra lower back support, which can sometimes be the downfall of carriers without that.

It also has an ergonomic shape for your baby when properly seated in the carrier.

Cons

The Velcro waistband is relatively loud and hard to adjust once fastened.

The sun and breastfeeding hood is smaller than some moms might feel comfortable with when breastfeeding their baby in the carrier.

You might need assistance when fastening the carrier securely.

Boba 4G Carrier

Being made from 100% cotton free of any harsh chemicals or dyes is just one of the factors that bring peace of mind to parents where the Boba 4G carrier is concerned. And as far as fitting differently sized adults, it can fit most sizes from extra small to XXL.

The waist belt can be adjusted from 25-58 inches, while the shoulder straps can range from 20-40 inches when adjusted, so in most cases, you should be able to comfortably and safely wear the carrier.

There are also extra adjustable straps on either side of the carrier to pull your little one close to you when they need to breastfeed or nap while in the carrier.

Unlike most other carriers of the same style, the Boba 4G also has an additional two to three inches of height to better accommodate taller toddlers, which is especially useful, since babies and toddlers all grow at different rates but still require the same kind of safety and support. And on Amazon, the Boba 4G carrier is $140 (check here for the latest price).

Pros

The size of the waistband can fit most larger parents and caregivers and in some cases, even has some room to grow.

There are multiple convenient storage pockets throughout the carrier that is also easily accessible.

There’s also a purse strap holder to hold your purse securely against your body while wearing the carrier.

The carrier also has foot straps that attach to the waistband to keep your little one’s feet from getting tired.

Cons

The head support for newborns or smaller babies isn’t as sturdy as it could be.

Although it has a supportive waistband, the shoulder straps don’t provide enough comfort and support as is needed.

As a taller baby carrier, the Boba 4G is also bulkier than some others.

Infantino Upscale Carrier

The Infantino Upscale Carrier is totally customizable as far as adjustments and straps are concerned. It’s also designed to safely and comfortably fit babies and toddlers from 8-40 pounds, which is a wide enough range for this to potentially be the only carrier that you’ll need.

You can use it in any of the four allotted positions — inward facing with reduced seat width, inward facing with full seat width, outward facing with reduced seat width, or as a back carrying position. So there’s little room for you or your little one not to find the position that works best for you both.

Thanks to the thickly padded waistband and adjustable padded shoulder straps, your baby’s weight can be evenly distributed as you wear them in the carrier while keeping them comfortable too.

As a useful and comfortable carrier, it’s also totally machine washable and won’t shrink or fall apart when using a washing machine or dryer. On Amazon, the Infantino Upscale Carrier is $40 (check here for the latest price).

Pros

At $40, the Infantino Upscale Carrier is not only affordable, but you get a lot for the price, while still investing in a trusted baby brand.

Putting it on is quick and easy and unlike with some other baby carriers, you won’t need someone else’s help in getting it properly adjusted.

It’s easy to fold up and take the carrier with you pretty much anywhere when you’re not wearing it.

Cons

There could be more shoulder padding to make it more comfortable for the wearer.

There’s no sun or breastfeeding cover attached to the carrier or as a separate attachment option.

You’ll need to make sure the waistband is tight enough, so as to keep your baby securely fitted in and prevent them from sliding down while you’re wearing it.

Final Thoughts

When choosing the baby carrier that’s best for you and your little one, the things that are most important to consider are safety, comfort (including your own), and price. And in all three categories, the Lillebaby Essentials baby carrier knows what its doing.

It’s breathable 100% cotton material and ergonomic shape make it comfortable for your child, regardless of how long you may need to wear your baby throughout the day. And as far as your own comfort goes, you can adjust the straps as you need, provided that you can familiarize yourself with how to do so beforehand.

And since you can use the Lillebaby Essentials from the time your child is a newborn, you’ll be able to get use out of it as soon as you feel comfortable wearing your infant in the carrier.

Even if a baby carrier doesn’t seem like the kind of baby accessory you necessarily need, it’s definitely one that you’d miss if you gave it up, as it acts as a way to keep your baby close while also enjoying the world around you and remaining close to your little boy or girl.

And if you’re going to get into the babywearing game, the Lillebaby Essentials baby carrier is a smart way to go.

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About the Author

Rowan is a busy mom who is OBSESSED with finding the best swag (re: gear) for her ducklings. She loves giving advice to new moms, looking to make a quick (but informed) purchasing decision without reading 100 reviews like her.